Compartmentalized Nozzle Base for Stable Fluidized Bed Gas Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluidized bed reactors face issues with energy inefficiency and clogging due to the use of fine particles, which require high operating pressures and are prone to fluidized bed collapse at varying levels, especially in continuous nozzle trays.

Innovation Solution

A gas distribution device with a double-bottomed nozzle base featuring a porous distributor plate and compartmentalized gas space, which distributes fluidizing gas evenly and controls flow velocity to maintain minimum fluidization conditions, reducing energy consumption and preventing collapse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous nozzle base with porous or finely perforated distributor plate is used, then fine particles can be prevented from passing through, but flow resistance increases and energy consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of particle passage and cloggingVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gas space is divided into multiple compartments by vertical walls, creating separate flow paths. This segmentation allows each compartment to handle a portion of the gas flow, reducing the overall flow resistance while maintaining effective particle retention through the distributor plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the gas distribution system are given different functions: the distributor plate provides fine filtration to prevent particle passage, while the compartmentalized gas space provides flow management to reduce resistance. This local differentiation of functions resolves the contradiction between retention and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If continuous nozzle trays with laminar flow are used, then even gas distribution is achieved, but they cannot compensate for fluidized bed level variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeven gas distributionVSAvoidcompensation for level variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous nozzle base is divided into multiple independent compartments by vertical walls. Each compartment can independently respond to local fluidized bed level variations, providing adaptability while maintaining overall even gas distribution through the coordinated action of all compartments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compartmentalized structure allows the gas distribution system to dynamically adapt to changing fluidized bed levels. Each compartment can adjust its flow characteristics based on local conditions, enabling the system to maintain effective operation across varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If high-velocity nozzles are used in discrete nozzle plates, then fluidized bed level variations can be compensated, but fine particles can pass through and the nozzle spacing becomes too large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation for level variationsVSAvoidparticle retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines segmentation of the gas space into compartments with a continuous porous distributor plate. This allows the benefits of compartmentalized flow management (adaptability to level variations) while maintaining the particle retention capability of the fine-perforation distributor plate across the entire surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The porous distributor plate acts as an intermediary between the compartmentalized gas space and the fluidized bed. It provides the fine perforations necessary for particle retention while allowing the compartmentalized structure above to provide adaptability to level variations through flow management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If very fine particles are used to reduce fluidization requirements, then energy consumption decreases, but particles can easily pass through nozzles and cause clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidclogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compartmentalized gas space provides multiple restricted flow paths that work in conjunction with the porous distributor plate. This segmented approach maintains effective particle retention through the fine-perforation plate while managing gas flow to prevent clogging, enabling the use of fine particles at lower energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves lower energy consumption and stable fluidization across varying bed levels, minimizing the risk of collapse and clogging, while being cost-effective and easily maintainable.

Implementation Method 1

continuous nozzle base with a porous or correspondingly finely perforated base or distribution plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

fluidizing gas is blown in from below, counteracting gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

Fluidized beds are suspensions of a solid particle material in a fluidizing gas that is blown in from below, counteracting gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 4

creates the fluidized bed by stirring up a bed of particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 5

Continuous nozzle trays, due to the mostly laminar flow behavior, are unable to compensate for these level variations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentEP3143350B1Gas distribution device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 VIENNA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
  • EP3143350B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3143350B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3143350B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas distribution device for producing a fluidized bed (10), comprising a wind box (1) and, arranged above it, a double-bottom nozzle base (2) having a base plate (4) provided with a plurality of nozzles (3) and a distributor plate (5) on top thereof, which define between them a gas chamber, characterized in that the double-bottom nozzle base (2) is a continuous nozzle base having a porous or perforated distributor plate (5) and the gas chamber of the nozzle base (2) is subdivided into a plurality of compartments (7) by means of a plurality of walls (6) between the base plate (4) and the distributor plate (5).